Charity still begins abroad, Innocent insists

Smoothie manufacturer Innocent insists it remains committed to its charitable partners after a media report today claimed it had donated nothing to its principal foundation since 2008.

The company currently pledges to give away 10% of its profits to good causes, principally the Innocent Foundation, a registered charity that it established in 2004.

The charity’s website states support for grass-roots sanitation, health and micro-finance projects in poor rural communities – mainly in nations such as Uganda, India and Zambia, where Innocent sources fruit.

But The Guardian reported today that Innocent was still holding £520,000 pledged to the charity in 2007, and continues to hold the money as a loan from the foundation, whose trustees are Innocent's directors Adam Balon, Richard Reed and Jon Wright.

Innocent has made no contributions between 2008-2010; after a £8.6m loss in 2008, it has failed to turn a profit since the recession hit.

Director and co-founder, Richard Reed (pictured) told FoodManufacture.co.uk: “The foundation is a professionally run charity, that sets the highest standards of best practice and makes prudent, responsible, financial decisions. Any implication that it does otherwise is 100% incorrect and deeply misguided.”​

Money will be transferred​

Innocent insisted that the £520,000 was earning better interest in the Innocent company bank account than it would if it had been passed on to the charity; as it was the money would still be transferred to the foundation gradually.

“Innocent has made a profit eight out of the 12 years we have been in business,”​ said Reed. "In the years where we have made losses, the business has still made charitable donations. ​

“This year we plan to pay a further £250,000 to the foundation to ensure its activities are not affected by the Innocent business facing tough years.”​

Since its registration, Innocent said the foundation had supported 37 projects and spent almost £1.3m on community projects to helped over 340,000 people.

The smoothie company was established in 1999 by Reed and fellow directors Adam Balon and Jon Wright. Coca-Cola bought an 18% stake in 2009, and took a majority shareholding of 58% last April for a figure believed to be around £75m.

The firm moved its head office – which employs around 200 staff – from Shepherd’s Bush in London to Ladbroke Grove in late April.